Yemen: public finances

Does Yemen have a budget deficit?

Actual budget execution to the end of June 2026 showed a cash surplus of 62.1 billion rials, with revenue of 1,072.1 billion and spending of about 1,010.1 billion, according to the Central Bank of Yemen's monthly monetary and financial developments report for June 2026.

The report notes that the budget is measured on a cash basis. For whole years, the IMF's World Economic Outlook figures estimate a general government deficit of 3.9% of GDP in 2025 and project 0.4% for 2026. The bank's figures cover the banks and accounts it reports on from Aden; the Sanaa-based central bank site (centralbank.gov.ye) could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Central Bank of Yemen: monetary and financial developments, June 2026 · IMF DataMapper: government net lending/borrowing, Yemen

How much debt does Yemen's government have?

Domestic public debt stood at 8,851.7 billion rials at the end of June 2026, up 701.2 billion (8.6%) from 8,150.5 billion at the end of May, according to the Central Bank of Yemen's monthly monetary and financial developments report for June 2026.

The report says the rise reflects settlements in the government's general account at the bank's Marib branch. Direct borrowing from the central bank made up 7,983.0 billion rials (90.2%) of the total, and Treasury bills, government bonds and Islamic sukuk 868.7 billion (9.8%). The figure is domestic debt only; it does not include external debt.

Official sources: Central Bank of Yemen: monetary and financial developments, June 2026

What is Yemen's budget deficit?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is -3.9% of GDP, which is a deficit. Its high point since 2018 was 2021, at -1.7% of GDP; its low point was 2018, at -13.6% of GDP. It is 10th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -5.2% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 126th of 188.

What is Yemen's government revenue?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 13.4% of GDP. Its high point since 2018 was 2022, at 20.3% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at 11.6% of GDP. It is 20th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 26.3% of GDP. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 172nd highest.

How big is Yemen's government spending as a share of GDP?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 17.3% of GDP. The peak was 26.6% of GDP in 2018 and the low 15.6% of GDP in 2021. It is 19th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 28.7% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 165th of 186.